Introduction

1. E. Lee PT Scheme for Pre-university Students Introduction • The VAM programme • Component for pre-university students - PT scheme linking academia and the workplace

2. E. Lee PT Scheme for Pre-university Students Aims of a Proficiency Testing (PT) Scheme • Benchmarking analytical laboratories - Test a known sample - Evaluation of results • Provides feedback leading to improved quality

3. E. Lee PT Scheme for Pre-university Students PT Scheme for Schools • Select an appropriate partner • What analysis to use? - Acid-base titration • Choice of test material - homogenous, stable, cheap, non hazardous • Time-table

4. E. Lee PT Scheme for Pre-university Students Selection of Partner • Why a partner? - Spreads the workload / requirement of VAM - Helps assess viability and nature of exercise - Selection of centres - Independence, need for confidentiality at certain stages

5. E. Lee PT Scheme for Pre-university Students UK: 16+ Education • Vocational Route - General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQ) • Academic Route A Levels

6. E. Lee PT Scheme for Pre-university Students Support Material for Schools • PT scheme allows the comparison of - results - performance

7. E. Lee PT Scheme for Pre-university Students Choice of Test • Fits in with syllabus - Common element titrations • Availability of equipment - Advantages of using a titrimetric analysis

8. E. Lee PT Scheme for Pre-university Students Test Material • The test material must be homogenous • The test material must be stable • Number of samples must be considered • unit cost and number of samples required • Packaging and distribution of samples

9. E. Lee PT Scheme for Pre-university Students Agree plan (J) Choice of test material (J) Obtaining test material (V) Homogeneity and stability testing (V) Choice of centres (N) Preparation of information pack (J) Distribution of documentation (N) test material (V) Receipt of results (N) Assessment (V) Allocation of Responsibilities(J) = Joint (V) = VAM (N) = Nuffield

10. E. Lee PT Scheme for Pre-university Students Test Material Evaluation • Homogeneity testing number of samples for testing = n = total number of units • Stability testing

11. E. Lee PT Scheme for Pre-university Students Dispatch Information Pack and Test Materials • Information pack - student information sheets - student report sheets - teachers notes - feedback questionnaire • Dispatch of test materials and information pack

12. E. Lee PT Scheme for Pre-university Students Submission of Results • Set completion date • Receipt of results • Enter results in spreadsheet • Statistical evaluation of results - Z scores calculated • Evaluation of reports

13. E. Lee PT Scheme for Pre-university Students Calculation of a Z Scorefor an Individual Result (xi)

14. E. Lee PT Scheme for Pre-university Students Meaning of Z Scores |Z|  2 good results (Distinction) 2 < |Z| < 3 could do better (Merit) |Z|  3 poor results (Participated)

15. E. Lee PT Scheme for Pre-university Students 30 a 23 lame 14 1 6 mbnf 15 1 8 4 Z Score Chart

16. E. Lee PT Scheme for Pre-university Students Evaluation of Reports • Grading scripts according to Z-scoresand report • Individual grading • Evidence of good laboratory practice from all centres with high percentages of satisfactory Z-scores • Selection of winning centres

17. E. Lee PT Scheme for Pre-university Students Outcome • Prize winning centres + 2 runners up • Individual certificates • Awards - link to industry • Feedback to centres • Production of a resource - Best Practice Guide.